Frustrated . . . ?

[CJS]

Yes, I'm very frustrated, its been a bad year for me all round, the garden has not been somewhere to retreat to for solace this year . . . we have crops but compared with previous years???

So this morning I let rip!!! dug up what was supposed to be my brassica patch, tided all the weeds in the area, yep, not even had the heart to weed properly for weeks!

So I have a couple of square yards available . . . Planted some 'Greyhound' cabbage seeds in a pot this morning, might just get them going for a late crop? Any other suggestions that I might be able to start this late for a winter crop?

The problem we have is only two of us, plus the dog . . . cant eat that much, and we dont have a circle of friends to distribute to? As I say, I've put, maybe, 20 seeds in a pot, I'll plant out 10 or 12 of the most healthy, and I've still got that much room left. Always the green house I suppose, definitely unheated, poor soil, so I use rings. That will be clear of Melons, Pineapple toms and Sweet Peppers by October?

I suppose the best this year has been the black grape vine in the greenhouse, fruits are bigger, sweeter and earlier? Went down the rout of reducing the number of bunches, the vine grew less vigorously, supposed put more into the fruit? . . . seems to have worked?

CJS

[Nature's Babe]

Hi CJS, Sorry you had a bad year, perhaps some chard, winter radish, winter lettuce, rocket, some chinese greens? you could perhaps overwinter some peas and broad beans later? Perhaps try DT Browns new Autumn Treasure raspberry which they claim crops well even in poor soils. If you still have a weedy patch left,take it easy and recover your energies and save your back - scythe or mow it down, try covering with cardboard and top with a good layer of compost / manure to improve the soil there for next year. Leaving the roots in and the green on top, will feed your soil. If you have clean bare soil, sow a green manure and incorporate that in the spring
it will prevent leaching/erosion and give you a good start for next year
Good luck

[CJS]

Thanks for the reply Nature's Babe, Ive got some Pak Choi seeds, give them a go. I was a little unfair to my courgette, they have don wonders despite my lack of efforts! Problem is, 6 plants have produced so many courgettes at a size which has taken me by surprise, I dont know what to do with them?? Next year, I'll cut that down to 2 or 3 plants.

These two pics are just one weeks harvest! . . .



I dont know if one is supposed to let them grow to these proportions, I do pick some smaller for salads . . . one can only eat so much stuffed courgette. However, since we have been eating a lot of courgette this season, my blood pressure has come down to normal, Doc., is very pleased . . . coincidence, or is it a super food???

CJS

[Nature's Babe]

Do you have a freezer? check out this link for what to do with your courgettes -
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=10002

Also if you have no freezer and you have a lot you could try marrow and ginger jam which is quite delicious, or remove seeds,chop or slice and soak in brine overnight to remove excess liquid and make chutney or pickles

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7565 ... ginger-jam

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapev ... 22267.html

you could enjoy them through the winter.

[glallotments]

You could plant some winter onion sets

[CJS]

Thanks all, I think the Greyhound cabbage and Pac Choi will do for now . . . However I was inspired to look on t'internet for 'Courgette Recipes' . . . there are loads, fancy 'Courgette Cake', Courgette Fritters and I have bastardised a Lamb with Ginger and Courgette recipe into; Rolled Brest of Lamb with a Courgette, Honey and Ginger Stuffing, steamed complimentary vegetables and gravy made from the lamb juices . . . Guess what, we have a breast of lamb in the freezer . . . 'smoking'!!!

CJS

[oldherbaceous]

Evening CJS, even us gardeners that have been doing it for years, still get your sort of problems, it's not just something you are doing wrong.